The following is Lesson Number 1 in COOPERATION (First
Series), compiled by the NORFOLK STUDY GROUP NO. 1 of the
ASSOCIATION FOR RESEARCH AND ENLIGHTENMENT, INC., Virginia
Beach, Virginia:
"Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of
another; love as brethren." (1 Peter 3:8)
HOW TO STUDY A LESSON
1. Read the lesson as a whole.
2. Memorize the PRAYER given.
3. Study the lesson by topics.
4. Study the lesson by questions.
5. Meditate upon it.
6. Listen in meditation for the truth you need, for it will
come to all who seek.
7. Apply that learned in everyday life.
C O O P E R A T I O N
AFFIRMATION
NOT MY WILL BUT THINE, O LORD, BE DONE IN ME, THROUGH ME.
LET ME EVER BE A CHANNEL OF BLESSINGS, TODAY, NOW, TO THOSE
THAT I CONTACT IN EVERY WAY. LET MY GOING IN, MY COMING OUT,
BE IN ACCORD WITH THAT THOU WOULD HAVE ME DO, AND AS THE CALL
COMES, "HERE AM I, SEND ME, USE ME!" (
262-3)
DEFINITION - Cooperation in the physical is defined as acting
or operating jointly with others, concurring with others in
action or effort. In the spiritual, it is more. It is
losing sight of self and becoming a channel through which
blessings may flow to others. The blessing is cooperation in
action. Whether in the spiritual or physical, ACTION is
necessary to put cooperation into operation - thus those who
would come together for a common cause must have UNITED
ACTION in pursuit of, and even the realization of, a common
end.
The best in life is ours, not at the expense of another or
others but in harmonious cooperation. In every lasting
organization, the law is in effect. The heavens declare that
the Hand that formed them was the Hand of unity, order and
harmony. All nature follows the same law. The human body is
so much in unison that each part performs its duty without a
thought of another, yet fully depending each upon the other.
NEEDS OF COOPERATION - Cooperation is so necessary in the
spiritual that even our adverse thoughts have such a
paralyzing effect that they will not only retard the
development of self, but build a barrier against anyone who
might seek to aid you. Even the Master could do no mighty
works in His own village because of the people's unbelief in
Him. "Thoughts are deeds and may become crimes or miracles
in their application." For the accomplishment of any aim,
for the reaching of any goal, for the attainment of any
blessing of self or mankind, it is necessary that there be
one mind, one aim, and one purpose for the whole group.
As you seek cooperation in a study group, exercise your
conscious mind by holding these two thoughts ever before you:
1. I must lose myself in Him (in the Christ Consciousness).
2. My every thought, my every deed, must be in harmony with
the intent and purpose of the whole group.
"As we open our minds, our hearts, our souls, that we may be
channels of blessings, we then have the mind of the Christ,
who took upon Himself the burden of the world. So may we in
our little spheres take upon ourselves the burdens of the
world. The joy, the peace, the happiness, that may be ours
ours is in doing for the other fellow; for gaining an
understanding of the laws that pertain to right living in
all its phases makes the mind in attune with Creative Forces,
which are in His Consciousness, so we have the mind of Christ
by putting into action that we know."
METHOD OF OBTAINING COOPERATION - Now, the questions arise in
your mind, "How may I accomplish this? How may I work as an
individual to become one of a group whose purpose will be in
accord with His will?" To answer these, you must look within
to the little things that go to make up your very nature.
You must guard your daily thoughts and acts, and must seek
through meditation to awaken your inner self.
In the daily walk of life take stock of your thoughts and
acts; for cooperation is the offering of self to a channel of
ACTIVITY of THOUGHT; as line upon line, precept upon precept,
comes, so does it come through the giving of self; they that
would have life must give life; they that would have love
must show themselves lovely; they that would have friends
must be friendly; they that would have cooperation must
cooperate by the giving of self to that which is to be
accomplished, whether in bringing light, strength, health, or
understanding to others. These are ONE in Him. Replace your
negative thoughts with positive ones. Think not unkindly of
anyone. Speak and think of others in terms of help and
cheer. Practice thinking kind thoughts of those who have
hurt you. Let no opportunity pass to do a little act of
kindness that will lighten the burden of another. Live as
you know He would have you live. Begin now. WORK! Work
diligently and consistently. Take thought continually of the
attitude of mind you hold, for it makes for that which gives
birth to peace, harmony, understanding; or brings forth the
contending forces that make for unrest and trouble. Each
will find, "When I would do right the spirit of unrest is
ever present," but day by day this should be put out of the
mind, and more and more replaced by the mind of peace,
harmony, and understanding - not a latent kind, but an active
force. This is the manner in which self gives expression of
that being sought.
In meditation seek the knowledge of the inner light that
burns ever within you. Set aside a time each day for prayer
and meditation, preferably, at sunrise. Quiet the physical
body, purify the emotions, and wait on the Lord. Draw nigh
unto God and He will draw nigh unto you.
It is a oneness of mind, a oneness of purpose, which we must
all seek, the virtue in the knowledge of God, His laws, His
precepts, not to the advantage of self, but for others; not
for self-edification, but that power and strength may emanate
from self to others less strong.
As your group comes together for meditation, pray that you
may all be of one mind, that you may be a channel, that you
have one purpose. Visualize the force of harmony and love
acting upon the whole group. So as you put into practice
that which you know of cooperation in deed and thought, there
will come to each His peace which passeth understanding, and
the realization of becoming His channel. He has promised
that power, strength, joy, life, and light, yea; that no good
thing will be withheld from those who seek this oneness in
His name.
REALIZATION OF COOPERATION - As the realization of a perfect
cooperation in Him comes to you, there will come also the
knowledge of that oneness with the great Creative Force of
the Universe, an understanding of its indwelling in you.
Self will be eliminated, and joy and happiness will reign in
your heart. Your body and your mind will function more
perfectly, because you have aroused the Creative Force which
seeks expression in all. Understanding will come as quietly
as the silent shadows of night, and His everlasting peace
will live in your heart.
There is perhaps no better way to illustrate this realization
than to quote a few of the experiences of those who have
worked in such groups, seeking light and understanding
through cooperation:
"In cooperation I have been opened up to a greater field of
spiritual understanding and realize that I am a channel
through which His will may be done."
"I experienced a feeling of cooperation from the whole group,
in that through their prayers and meditations nothing but
good could come to me. All fear was allayed; right, justice
and mercy prevailed. There came a feeling of contentment, a
willingness to leave all in His hands and know it was well."
"With the cooperation of this group, I have been better able
to understand my own individual purpose in relation to the
whole purpose, or God. At times, when our cooperation is
greater, I have been able to feel myself being a perfect
channel through which God may manifest. During the nights
following such attunements, I have had visions and dreams
that were a testimony of the growth and development of the
group toward Oneness."
"I have realized that faithful repetition of effort, which
makes for cooperation, gives at times that feeling of oneness
of all with whom we cooperate, and a nearness of His
Presence, which shows the more that His promise is sure,
'Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there I
am in the midst to bless.'"
"In my meditation I have seen the group, as it were, come
together and form a complete circle, each member of the group
being represented by a dot. Each one in the circle seemed to
call the others by name and bless them. The circle now
turned to a wheel, the dots becoming spokes. Each spoke now
represented a member of the group. Each spoke became a
channel, leading toward the hub, where is seen the Christ
Light. As the blessings of love, harmony, peace and
understanding flow from the Christ through the channels, the
wheel is able to turn. THIS IS COOPERATION IN ACTION. As
the wheel turns, the members of the group, or channels, are
able to turn other wheels, thereby helping to turn the world
to light, love, harmony, and true understanding."
RESULTS OF COOPERATION - Be patient and untiring in seeking
this cooperation, for you will have prepared yourself to go
on in the study and understanding of the innate soul forces,
and you will become an active channel for the Higher Forces
to work through. You will be a better husband, a better
wife, a better neighbor, a better friend. The little world
in which you live will be happier for your being in it. You
will bring more joy and happiness to those about you, and
you will be manifesting God's love for man, showing the
beautiful relation that God would have exist, if man will
but seek to know His way.
Lesson on Cooperation - Review:
QUESTIONS
1. Define cooperation in the physical.
2. Define cooperation in the spiritual.
3. When does cooperation become a blessing?
4. How does this apply to a study group?
5. When do we have the MIND OF CHRIST?
6. How may I work as an individual to be able to become one
of a group whose purpose will be in accord with His Will?
7. What will each find in self-discipline? How must it be
met?
8. What should each seek in meditation?
9. What should our prayer be?
10. How must all seek?
11. What should be the attitude of the group in seeking?
12. What will follow the realization of perfect cooperation
in Him?
13. How do the experiences given by those of a group seeking
cooperation differ? How are they alike?
14. In the patient and untiring efforts in seeking
cooperation, for what are we preparing ourselves?
Edgar Cayce Readings © 1971, 1993, 1994, 1995 by the Edgar Cayce Foundation